What is the difference between Frozen Smoked Salmon Lox and Retort/Shelf-stable Smoked Salmon?
Retort or Shelf-stable Smoked Salmon
Retort Smoked Salmon is slowly smoked over alderwood, then packaged in a gold foil pouch, and sealed to preserve moistness and flavor. The retorting process is the cooking of the pouch in pure steam. Retort Smoked Salmon has a firm texture and flakes into a chevron pattern when cut. Retort Smoked Salmon does not require refrigeration until after the pouch has been opened.
Frozen Smoked Salmon Lox
Sold in the freezer department of your grocery store. Salmon lox is cold-smoked and the fish therefore remains uncooked. It is generally thinly sliced and has a rich taste and silky texture.

How long can I keep my Smoked Salmon?
Shelf-stable Smoked Salmon in a sealed gold foil pouch has a shelf-life of 5 years, and should be consumed within this time.
Frozen Smoked Salmon lox should be kept frozen until you are ready to eat it.

Can I keep leftover Smoked Salmon?
Discard any Smoked Salmon left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Leftover Smoked Salmon may be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Can I freeze my smoked salmon?
We do not recommend freezing shelf-stable Smoked Salmon.

What is the difference between Pink and Sockeye Salmon?
Pink and Sockeye Salmon are both found in Pacific Northwest waters. Sockeye Salmon (red salmon) is often preferred by salmon lovers because of its rich and flavorful meat. Sockeye Salmon has a high oil content (Omega 3) with a deep red meat color and firm texture. Pink Salmon is also very flavorful, though the meat texture tends to be less firm than Sockeye Salmon and the meat is pink in color.

Is Grande Gourmet Salmon wild or farmed?
All of our Salmon is 100% Wild caught in the Pacific Northwest.

Recipes suggestions for Smoked Salmon
Visit our Recipe page for Smoked Salmon Serving Suggestions and Recipes!

Why does Smoked Salmon in a gold foil pouch have such a long shelf-life?
The gold foil pouch or retort pouch, is constructed of a polyester film which is laminated to an aluminum foil with a polypropylene coating. This combination of materials is used for it's resistance to high temperature and for it's durability. It also provides a barrier to light, gases, microorganisms and odors. The foil pouch is good for at least 5 years and will preserve the Smoked Salmon within the package as long as the pouch has not been been damaged.

My Smoked Salmon smells strong and flakes apart
As with all fish, salmon has a strong fishy smell, this smell may be increased by the smoking process. Cooked Salmon should flake apart. If you have any questions about the smell or presentation of your smoked salmon please call us.

I think there are crystals in my smoked salmon!
Hard glasslike crystals are occasionally found in cooked salmon. These crystals (struvite) are often mistaken as glass, but are in fact crystals made up of magnesium, ammonia and phosphate molecules (chemical substance normally present in fish, animals and humans in some form, and in fact essential to normal health). These crystals are harmless. They have the same hardness as a table salt so should not damage the enamel of healthy teeth. However, they usually do not dissolve in saliva or water and should be swallowed as they will dissolve in the stomach. (Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada).